Don’t Forget to Vote Food (Policy) This November

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In her latest dispatch, our vice president of Impact Katherine Miller makes the case for casting a ballot in the upcoming midterm elections. Miller argues that it's not just a matter of civic duty—it's a way to make sure Congress hears our nation's desire for a better food system for all.

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On Tuesday, November 6, Americans will go to the polls nationwide. Among the top issues of concern for voters—including the millions of new voters who've just registered in the last few months—are immigration, health care, and fair wages.

Voters, whether they realize it or not, will also be casting ballots related to food policy in the United States. The fate of the nearly $1 trillion Farm Bill may rest on the outcome of this election.

Before they went on a recess—and to campaign in their home states and districts—Congress left behind dozens of pieces of legislation that impact the way America’s food supply is produced, traded, marketed, and sold. Congress is not expected to come back until mid-November, after the midterm elections.

Among the pile of expired or dead bills is the Farm Bill, which covers more than 30 programs including the Supplemental Nutrition Access Program (SNAP). The law was left to expire, and it's unlikely that Congress—even in a post-election, lame duck session—will try to work out the differences on funding requirements and financial levels between the House and Senate versions of the bill.

And, while some of these programs, including SNAP, will see continued funding in the absence of a new Farm Bill, there are numerous smaller and related programs that will not—including those providing critical support to small farmers and low-income families across the country.

How could Congress leave town without finishing the Farm Bill? Part of it may have to do with the fact that fewer than 1 in 5 Americans know what the Farm Bill is or how it impacts their daily lives. With so little awareness about the bill, Congress may believe that there won’t be consequences for their inaction.

But this isn’t the whole picture. While Americans may not be able to relate to hundreds of pages of policy language, polls show that they strongly support the programs in the bill:

61 percent of American voters oppose cuts to SNAP programs

85 percent support increasing opportunities for beginning, socially disadvantaged, and veteran farmers and ranchers to participate in crop insurance and conservation programs

But voters still need to connect the dots for members of Congress. Americans have to show elected officials the cost of voting against the needs of the most vulnerable Americans.

By backing members of Congress and candidates with stated positions in support of food policies, voters will demonstrate that our food system matters.

We can all do our part by:

Knowing their record on food policy: finding out how a House or Senate member has voted on food policy matters is free and accessible through foodpolicyaction.org. Food Policy Action, initially co-founded by James Beard Award winner Tom Colicchio, tracks all the public statements and votes related to food policy in the United States. This resource is an easy way to see how your senator or representative voted.

Asking questions about food policy: until November 6, members of Congress will be home in their state or district. Attend an event and ask questions about how they vote on the food issues you care about.

Voting: join with chefs and leaders in the culinary world by making sure to vote on or by November 6 (many states offer early voting options). Some people may not want to get involved in policy debates or share views on social media, but everyone can vote. It’s one of the most powerful ways to demonstrate support or opposition for people and policies.

With families, children, veterans, and farmers all hanging in the balance, this election–and your vote–may mean more than ever before.

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The James Beard Foundation is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to celebrate, nurture, and honor chefs and other leaders making America's food culture more delicious, diverse, and sustainable for everyone.